Tunnelling

ABSTRACT

A lining for a tunnel, shaft or the like comprising a series of rings joined in end-to-end relation wherein each ring comprises a plurality of segmental blocks connected together in side-by-side relation by at least one resiliently deformable fishplate which is secured to the blocks and wherein each ring is connected to an adjacent ring by bolts, each bolt passing through at least a portion of one block of each of two adjacent rings and serving to compress the or each fishplate located between said rings. Each block is made from a shell made of substantially water-proof, chemically inert material and comprising a base having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls defining a mold cavity for receiving structural material, each side wall having an inwardly directed recess extending substantially the length of the side wall and each end wall having a groove adapted to receive part of a fishplate to secure the shell to another shell in side-by-side relation.

United States Patent 1191 Cooper Jan. 21, 1975 TUNNELLING [75] Inventor:- Edwin Frank Cooper, Petts Wood, Primary Emmmer l?enms England Attorney, Agent, or FzrmCaesar, R1v1se, Bernstem &

Cohen [73] Assignee: Celmac A.G. [22] Filed: Jan. 11, 1972 ABSTRACT [21] APPL NO: 216,957 A lining for a tunnel, shaft or the like comprising a series of rings joined in end-to-end relation wherein each ring comprises a plurality of segmental blocks Foreign Applicafifln iority Data connected together in side-by-side relation by at least Jan. 11, 1971 Great Britain 1229/71 n r si i ntly deformable fishplate which is secured to the blocks and wherein each ring is connected to an [52] US. Cl 61/45 R jacent ring by bol s, each bolt passing through at [51] Int. Cl E21d 11/08 l ast a portion of one block of each of two adjacent [58] Field of Search 61/45 R, 42, 63, 84, 85 rings and serving to compress the or each fishplate located between said rings. Each block is made from a [5 6] References Cited shell made of substantially water-proof, chemically UNITED STATES PATENTS inert material and comprising a base having a pair of 852,891 5/1907 Moir 61/45 R walls of end walls dfafimng a m 852,916 5/1907 [45 R 1ty for receiving strnctural material, each side wall 935,376 9/1909 Lennon 61/45 R havlng an inwardly directed recess extending substan- 1 004 288 9/1911 61/45 R tially the length of the side wall and each end wall 1,398,968 12/1921 Jackson 61/45 R Ux having a groove adapted to receive part of a fishplate 1,889,563 11/1932 ORourke 61/45 R to secure the shell to another shell in side-by-side rela- 3,483,706 12/1969 Taradash et al. 611/45 R tion, 3,60l,995 8/1971 Seiz 61/45 R 3,695,044 10/1972 1105111110 et al 61 /45 R 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TUNNELLING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention concerns improvements in or relating to tunnels, shafts and the like of concrete or like material, most preferably located in soft earth. Such tunnels are formed of a succession of rings joined end-to-end, each ring comprising interlock-ing prefabricated segmental blocks. Each ring is built up in the tunnel bore around a metal former and sealing material is located between adjacent segmental blocks and between adjacent rings. After one ring has been built up the former is removed, cleaned and then used to build the next. Succeeding rings are urged together by jacks applying pressure to the exposed ring end face. Such tunnels and ways of making them are disclosed in British Patent specifications Nos. 863,266, 1,034,303 and 1,160,111 and US. Pat. Nos. 958,592, 1,881,421, 1,889,563 and 3,483,704. The assembly of tunnels requires skilled and hence expensive labour and using the techniques just outlined takes time and is difficult.

The invention is based upon the realisation that the sealing means between adjacent rings may be adapted to secure adjacent segmental blocks together and the assembly of a tunnel, shaft or the like simplified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is to provide a lining for a tunnel, shaft or the like comprising a series of rings joined in end-to-end relation wherein each ring comprises a plurality of segmental blocks connected together in side-by-side relation by at least one resiliently deformable fishplate which is secured to the blocks and wherein each ring is connected to an adjacent ring by bolts, each bolt passing through at least a portion of one block of each of two adjacent rings and serving to compress the or each fishplate located between said rings.

Preferably at least one end wall of each of the segmental blocks has a groove or recess extending between the block sides into which groove part of a fishplate may be fitted. The fishplate is preferably so dimensioned that when compressed it substantially covers the block end wall to present a force-receiving body to receive the jacks used to urge adjacent rings together.

Advantageously each side wall of the segmental blocks has an inwardly directed recess arranged such that when such blocks are abutted together in side-byside relation the recesses define a channel for the reception of a deformable sealing rod.

To enhance assembly and reduce breakages, each segmental block most preferably comprises a shell formed of water-proof chemically inert deformable material, above all a shell molded of a light-weight plastics material, which is filled on site with structural material, for example a concrete or synthetic resin.

A further object of the invention provides, for use in a lining for a tunnel, shaft or the like, a shell made of water-proof chemically inert deformable material and comprising a base having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls defining a cavity for receiving structural material, each side wall having an inwardly directed recess extending substantially the length of the side wall and each end wall having a groove adapted to receive part of a fishplate to secure the shell to another such shell in side-by-side relation.

I BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of illustration only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an end view of an assembled lining ring;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the interconnection of segmental blocks of adjacent rings; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shell for use in making a segmental block.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The tunnel comprises a succession of rings I joined in end-to-end relation. Each ring 1 comprises eight segmental blocks 2 joined in side-by-side relation. Each segmental block is of generally rectangular shape having opposite pairs of end walls 3 and side walls 4. Each end wall 3 has a groove 5 of generally channel form extending between the block sides. The base 6 of the channel shape groove 5 has spaced apart bolt holes 7, two (7a) of which are slightly deeper than the others. A fishplate 8 formed of resiliently deformable material eg acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, comprises an elongate rod of generally rectangular cross-section and is dimensioned so that a rearward portion of the fishplate may be received in the groove 5. The fishplate 8 may have holes for the reception of bolts not shown and, as can be seen in FIG. 1, conveniently wider than one block so as to bridge adjacent blocks.

The side walls 4 of the block each have a recess 9 of concave form extending the length of the block so that when two blocks are abutted in side-by-side relation the facing recesses define a tube to receive a deformable sealing rod 10.

Toy assemble a tunnel ring in a tunnel hole, not shown, a block 2 is located on the floor of the hole. A second block is then located alongside the first and a fishplate 8 is bolted into the groove 5 of both blocks to secure them together. The process is repeated until the ring is built up, in each case fishplates being used to secure adjacent blocks together. Fishplates are preferably used in the groove in one end wall only of the blocks. Jacks, not shown, are then applied to the ring to urge it down the tunnel hole and in doing this the fishplates receive the force of the jack so protecting the end wall of the block while the fishplates on the adjacent ring further down the tunnel are compressed between the adjacent rings to form a flexible seal. The ring may be grouted in position in a conventional manner like that disclosed in British Pat. No. 1,315,133. The process is then repeated until all the rings have been made and the tunnel is complete. Adjacent rings may be secured together using steel bolts 11, FIG. 2, received in the bolt holes 7 a.

The blocks 2 are preferably made on site using a shell 12 of FIG. 3. The shell is factory molded of a plastics material and comprises a base 13 reinforced by ribs 14 and has end walls 3 and side walls 4 suitably relieved to define the grooves 5 with bolt holes 7 and the recesses 9. Such shells may cheaply be transported to site since they are light in weight and resistant to breakage. On site a structural material 15, such as concrete, synthetic resin and aggregate, is poured into the shell cavity to form the desired segmental block. Once the block is made it may readily be taken down the tunnel hole for assembly. The block is preferably provided with a plastics lid to cover the structural material and provide the inner wall of the lining with a smooth surface.

The fishplates may be of any length from about one half of the length of a block to constituting a complete ring. In the latter case, a single fishplate of this kind will normally only be suitable for use in shaft linings or in small diameter tunnels.

Generally, the rings will be from 5 to 32 feet in diameter. If desired, the blocks may be used to form incomplete rings to define a water course, drainage channel or the like.

Other embodiments and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. A lining for a tunnel, shaft or the like comprising a series of rings joined in end-to-end relation, each of said rings including a portion comprising at least two segmental blocks having sidewalls which are securely connected together during the assembly of said portion in a side-by-side relation by at least one unitary, preformed and resiliently deformable fishplate, each of said blocks having two arcuate end walls, said one unitary fishplate bridging said blocks by lying along and being connected to one of said end walls of one block and lying along and being connected to the corresponding arcuate end wall of the immediately adjacent block and compression means being provided to connect each ring to an adjacent ring, each of said compression means passing through at least a portion of an end wall of one block and a portion of an end wall of the corresponding block of the adjacent ring and serving to compress the fishplate located between said portions, whereby said fishplate seals the space between adjacent portions to prevent the ingress of water into said tunnel.

2. A lining, as claimed in claim 1, in which said compression means is a bolt which passes through at least a portion of one block of each of two adjacent rings, thereby serving to compress each fishplate locked between said rings.

3. A lining, as claimed in claim 1, in which a recess is provided in at least one end wall of each block, said recess being adapted to receive part of a fishplate.

4. A lining, as claimed in claim 3, in which each fishplate is so dimensioned that, when compressed. it substantially covers the respective end wall.

5. A lining, as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said blocks include two sidewalls in which an inwardly directed recess is provided and resiliently deformable sealing rods are arranged to be received in said recesses between the sides of adjacent blocks.

6. A lining, as claimed in claim 1, in which each block comprises a shell formed of water-proof, chemically inert plastic material, said shell being filled with structural material.

7. In a lining for a tunnel, shaft or the like comprising a series of rings joined in end-to-end relation, each of said rings including a portion comprising at least two segmental blocks having sidewalls which are securely connected together during the assembly of said portion in a side-by-side relationship by at least one unitary preformed and resiliently deformable fishplate, each ofsaid blocks having two arcuate end walls, said one unitary fishplate bridging said blocks by being connected to one end wall of one block and the corresponding end wall of the immediately adjacent block, said shell being of a substantially water-proof, chemically inert plastic material and comprising a base having a pair of side walls and a pair of arcuate walls defining a mold cavity for receiving unset concrete material therein, each side wall having an inwardly directed recess extending substantially the length of the side wall and each arcuate end wall having a groove adapted to receive a part of said unitary fishplate to enable said fishplate to be secured to said shell, whereupon said fishplate serves to secure said shell to a like shell in a side-by-side relation, with said fishplate being compressed between said portions to seal the space between adjacent portions to prevent the ingress of water into said tunnel.

8. A shell, as claimed in claim 7, and including cover means adapted to fit over said mold cavity. 

1. A lining for a tunnel, shaft or the like comprising a series of rings joined in end-to-end relation, each of said rings including a portion comprising at least two segmental blocks having sidewalls which are securely connected together during the assembly of said portion in a side-by-side relation by at least one unitary, preformed and resiliently deformable fishplate, each of said blocks having two arcuate end walls, said one unitary fishplate bridging said blocks by lying along and being connected to one of said end walls of one block and lying along and being connected to the corresponding arcuate end wall of the immediately adjacent block and compression means being provided to connect each ring to an adjacent ring, each of said compression means passing through at least a portion of an end wall of one block and a portion of an end wall of the corresponding block of the adjacent ring and serving to compress the fishplate located between said portions, whereby said fishplate seals the space between adjacent portions to prevent the ingress of water into said tunnel.
 2. A lining, as claimed in claim 1, in which said compression means is a bolt which passes through at least a portion of one block of each of two adjacent rings, thereby serving to compress each fishplate locked between said rings.
 3. A lining, as claimed in claim 1, in which a recess is provided in at least one end wall of each block, said recess being adapted to receive part of a fishplate.
 4. A lining, as claimed in claim 3, in which each fishplate is so dimensioned that, when compressed, it substantially covers the respective end wall.
 5. A lining, as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said blocks include two sidewalls in which an inwardly directed recess is provided and resiliently deformable sealing rods are arranged to be received in said recesses between the sides of adjacent blocks.
 6. A lining, as claimed in claim 1, in which each block comprises a shell formed of water-proof, chemically inert plastic material, said shell being filled with structural material.
 7. In a lining for a tunnel, shaft or the like comprising a series of rings joined in end-to-end relation, each of said rings including a portion comprising at least two segmental blocks having sidewalls which are securely connected together during the assembly of said portion in a side-by-side relationship by at least one unitary preformed and resiliently deformable fishplate, each of said blocks having two arcuate end walls, said one unitary fishplate bridging said blocks by being connected to one end wall of one block and the corresponding end wall of the immediately adjacent block, said shell being of a substantially water-proof, chemically inert plastic material and comprising a base having a pair of side walls and a pair of arcuate walls defining a mold cavity for receiving unset concrete material therein, each side wall having an inwardly directed recess extending substantially the length of the side wall and each arcuate end wall having a groove adapted to receive a part of said unitary fishplate to enable said fishplate to be secured to said shell, whereupon said fishplate serves to secure said shell to a like shell in a side-by-side relation, with said fishplate being compressed between said portions to seal the space between adjacent portions to prevent the ingress of water into said tunnel.
 8. A shell, as claimed in claim 7, and including cover means adapted to fit over said mold cavity. 